davidjames March 28th, 2010

Hi Guys…
first things first, I want to thank Zack for his comment that clarified my thinking about Driscoll….of course having not read this book, I had never heard that exchange about Jesus in Revelation being ready to "make someone bleed", well…I rest my case!(based on my comments from the Jeff Overstreet interview about Avatar)… am I a minority for thinking that that attitude about Christ and all he stood for is ludicrous?…well thanks again Zack.
As for the rest, a good show as usual but (you it was coming) in as much as I was elated by the 2 main questions that Steve posed – how do we deal with gays and how do we deal with Muslims – because they have been real life issues with me – I never felt as though the questions really got answered by Brian in relation to this "New" Christianity" concept??? Was it just me? I have indeed softened my thinking about gays and lesbians as far as the roots of their situation and how we should treat them but still I struggle with their actively being involved in the functioning of the church while actively pursuing the lifestyle…that's the question I kept waiting to hear more from Brian about but feel like we were left short? Now maybe I am expecting too much of a free lunch because I didn't buy the book and haven't read it yet…I don't know?
And the whole question of dealing with Muslims is similar although like Steve said it is in no way an apples or oranges kind of thing….I can indeed look at them as God's creations but when we are talking about discussions that involve the death and resurrection of Christ I am afraid that, yes, I do have to divide the world into who is saved for eternity and who is not….Muslims do not embrace the One Way to eternal life…what common ground is there then?
Well I won't drone on any longer…it is my tendency to get way to windy….just wanted to put that out there and see what others thought.

George March 28th, 2010

IT IS NOT OP0ENMINDEDNESS THAT WILL CHANGE THE WORLD…NEITHER WILL JUDGMENTALISM..however…IT IS THE GOSPEL THAT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION…My question of all those who equivocate on almost every issue is, "What is the gospel that is the power of "God unto salvation?" AND "What do we do with the claims of Jesus Christ? Do we say "he is the way"…No man comes unto the Father but by me!" These are not MY opinions nor my truths but His statements and I don't think we have to apologize for what He said.

Russ McTyre March 29th, 2010

I was extremely disappointed in the treatment of Brian McLaren on this particular radio interview. Instead of fairly and professionally treating the guest and the topics in his book, an inordinate amount of time was given to the "reincarnation of Gandhi" — which was neither appropriate nor humorous. Steve could and should have engaged Brian on a number of levels to challenge the author and inform the listening audience. Unfortunately, he did not. If you would like to hear an engaging critique of the book, you'll need to look elsewhere. This segment was a complete waste of time for everyone involved.

WordVixen March 29th, 2010

First off, I would like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this interview (not that this is special, because I love all of Steve's interviews, and my enjoyment generally only fluctuates based on topic or choice of interviewee). I also thought that Brian made a few good points, though I definitely don't subscribe to his whole viewpoint.

I have noticed that on nearly every interview, someone comments with the complaint that Steve hasn't taken the interviewee to task. I just want to point out that an interview of this sort is not an appropriate place to challenge someone. It is not appropriate to put an interviewee on defense. As Russ said, you have to go somewhere else for a critique since that's not what Steve Brown Etc is for.

That said, I thought Ghandi was hilarious as usual, and I thought it was very cool that Mr. (pastor?) McLaren enjoyed it as well.

And, I think this interview served its purpose quite well. While I don't personally have an interest in his book, I think it's exactly the sort of thing my brother would appreciate, and I plan to purchase it for his birthday.

Erik Guzman March 29th, 2010

It's telling that many Christians think there's no point in talking with people that don't hold exactly the same views unless you're constantly pointing out their "error." It's also proof that SBE is needed.

Zach March 29th, 2010

DavidJames – I love listening to Driscoll speak…but I also loved watching "American Idol" while Paula was judge.

Fran March 29th, 2010

Erik, I love you and Steve, but it gets tiring sometimes to hear how much you all "get it" and the rest of us don't.

Pot, meet kettle.

Erik Guzman March 30th, 2010

I know Fran. Being so right is a cross to bear.

davidjames March 30th, 2010

Zach…I'll have to apologize…I never really did the whole American Idol or Paula Abdul thing (I feel like a rube admitting that but I gave up television a long time ago) So I will accept your reply in the good spirit that you always emit!
Just as an aside, speaking of all this violent connection to Christ thing, it makes me shudder every time I see something in the news like this weeks "Christian Militia" up in Michigan!!!…a CHRISTIAN militia oh come on guys call yourselves anything but that, given your alleged motives and plots!!

Kevin March 30th, 2010

Thanks for having Brian on your show. I have enjoyed his books and your show for years. It was good to have them together! Thanks for being a serious Christian that doesn't take themself so seriously! We need those.

Fran March 30th, 2010

Ha. I love that you speak my language, Erik–sarcasm.

That, and your steadfast modesty, of course.

Erik Guzman March 31st, 2010

Sarcasm? I'm serious. I'm like Moses come down from the mountain. I'm shining the light Fran, and if you're gonna stare at me, it's gonna hurt your eyes. ; )

Linus April 10th, 2010

Hey–just wanted to put in two cents on this episode. I love you guys and was really looking forward to hearing you engage McLaren. I told my wife that he was going to be on and we were both excited to listen, but we were disappointed that there didn't seem to be sufficient time to engage him. We weren't big on the Ghandi bit either–I know that we probably need to lighten up, but we felt it was out of step with the graciousness that's so evident in the show to have a caricaturization of Hinduism as the butt of a joke. It also seemed to take quite a bit of time from the meat of the show. We don't know as much about McLaren as we'd like to. We have some concerns about where his ideas seem to be leading for our peers who've read him, and were looking forward to hearing more. Thanks for listening to me! I'm going to keep listening to you!

Ross April 30th, 2010

Very interesting interview since I'm a longtime member of a church that's becoming an "emerging" church and I wanna' know how to deal with it in a loving,grace-filled way.
I also agree with those who desired a little less "Ghandi" and a lot more McLaren!